Ringer Calafalas gives us the heads-up that AICN’s Quint has just posted his latest travelogue from New Zealand. This time round, he writes about his experience as a Hobbit extra, from the make-up session to the on-set shoot and how he got his new Hobbit name “Fredegar Chubb”.
Because there are two films, we always knew there were going to be additional scenes that are not in Tolkien’s book. This report provides some insights into one that might happening in Hobbiton involving Gandalf, Bilbo and the Sackville-Bagginses! Needless to say, it involves some SPOILERS!
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And don’t forget to come and tell us your reaction on our message forums or on our live chat! Continue reading “New AICN report from Quint”
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Ringer Spy Glow sends us this fantastic close-up of what we believe to be Beorn’s Hall. Is this the first close-up we’ve seen? Could it be Radagast’s home in Rhosgobel which was said to be built “under the eaves of Mirkwood”?
It’s obviously still under construction, but the one-level nature and sharply pitched roof is very reminiscent of Tolkien’s own sketch of Beorn’s Hall that was published in the book…
SPOILER COUNTRY beyond the cut! Continue reading “First close-up of Beorn’s Hall?”
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Moviefone has just published a short Q&A with Luke Evans, who plays the role of Bard the Bowman in Jackson’s adaptation of the Hobbit. Talking about his role in what he describes “as the longest job of my life”, he says he’s back in NZ in three weeks (to film on location down near Queenstown, we guess) and drops an interesting little fact about the nature of his all-important bow.
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So, we’re about to begin our exploration of chapter 14 of The Hobbit in Hall of Fire. Come along, bring your thoughts and join the discussion!
We’re done — thanks to everyone who joined in!
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Tomorrow, Hall of Fire returns to The Hobbit as we delve into the events of Chapter 14 — “Fire and Water”.
“The dragon is coming or I am a fool!” he cried. “Cut the bridges! To arms! To arms!”
Thus the people of the lake-town, Esgaroth, are warned of their approaching doom. As Smaug vents his fury on these innocent villagers, it seems that nothing can save them from the Chiefest and Greatest of Calamities. But things are never quite as bad as they seem… Continue reading “Hall of Fire tomorrow: The Hobbit ch 14!”
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Today marks the 74th anniversary of the publication of the Hobbit by George Allen & Unwin. It was on 21 September, 1937 that the first copies of this now-famous fantasy tale rolled off the presses and into the shops.
Allen & Unwin printed “only” 1,500 copies in the first impression of the first edition. It proved an immediate hit. By December, that first run had entirely sold out.
Since then, it’s estimated that the tale of Bilbo’s heroic quest defeat the dragon Smaug and reclaim the birthright of Thorin has sold somewhere between 35 million and 100 million copies. It’s also been translated into more than 40 different languages.
Numbers alone can’t tell its importance and influence on the fantasy genre. In 1937, heroic fantasy tales involving dwarves and elves barely existed. Taking inspiration from his love of fairy tales and sagas, and the work of proto-fantasists such as William Morris, Tolkien inadvertently developed and legitimised an entire genre of writing.
For, without the famous line “In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit”, there would almost certainly be no Lord of the Rings.
And where would epic fantasy be without Lord of the Rings?
So raise a glass and toast The Hobbit. A most excellent and audacious book. To twist a phrase written by the professor himself: may the binding of its pages never fall out!
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